CAE Writing Pt2b

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CAE Writing Paper - Part 2(b)By Russell Whitehead

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Exams / CAE / Writing Paper - Pt 2(b)

Macmillan Publishing Ltd 2007

Preparation

Copying the Worksheets (this may work best if you cut Worksheet 2 into its separate sections).

Gathering maps.

Procedure

Open up the topic by holding some kind of discussion about transport. How do the students come to school/go to work? What plusses and minuses are there? If you have some images, this is when you can hand them around to encourage the discussion.

2 As soon as you feel interest in the topic is aroused sufficiently, give out Worksheet 1 and say that this is the writing task you will all be working towards completing effectively and appropriately.Ask the students to identify the main aspects of the content requirements.

3 Now give out Worksheet 2 (or, preferably, just section [A] of it) to pairs or groups of three. With one student acting as secretary to note down their ideas, they should discuss the different types of transport used in the area (you can define this as you think will be most productive), and the advantages and

disadvantages of each.You may wish to distribute transport maps of the area to help them get their ideas reasonably specific.You may also wish to inject points to keep the discussion up to speed for example, you could suggest they take account of different age groups, or visitors/tourists, or make comparisons/contrasts with other areas that they know about.

4 For the future part of the required content, turn to [B] on Worksheet 2. Have students first reflect on and discuss what they know of how transport worked in the past, in order to contrast that with the present. This should facilitate imagining the future. They should do this in the same groupings and way as the previous stage.You could help them along their way a little by suggesting that they think about changing work patterns, population patterns, affluence, social attitudes and trends, etc.

5 Now they should use the notes to write their reports. They should keep to the word count, and write in an appropriate style. Headings would probably be an asset here. You may want to have them do this as homework.Optional extension: You may wish to remind them of salient features of report-writing, or to provide examples.

6 The final stage is editing and improving the reports.At this stage, you can get them to do section [C] on the Worksheet. Check the answers with them when they think they have found the ten words that are missing. Discuss what the problem is in each case. Then get them to re-check each others reports to see if there are any missing words.This might, according to your particular class, be fol-lowed by work on linking devices, or conditionals or whatever other area of language you choose.In most cases, and especially if you have a monolingual class, you should be able to identify some specific problem areas with writing that students have in common. In such cases, you could try to find some relevant published practice materials (for example, if several students are making the same grammar mistake, you could find a relevant exercise in a grammar practice book). Alternatively, you could devise some practice exercises yourself. Students should do these exercises in pairs and then go on

Overview: Moving from discussion to detailed language work to produce a controlled piece of communicative writing.

General relevance:Task-based writingFormal writingExpressing opinions in writingUsing discussion to inform the content of writing

materials: Worksheets 1 and 2Possibly some images of people using different forms of transportPossibly map of your city/the capital showing transport routes and links

Time: 45-90 minutes (can be divided, can include homework)

Topic: Transport

1

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to reconsider each others work in the light of the exercises theyve just done.

Key to [C]I believe that there should be a greater focus on the aspect of sustainability. Air quality is a vital part of city life, and it mustnt be sacrificed just for the sake of convenience. We need to respond with energy and intelligence to the challenges we face in this regard. Meanwhile, it is just as important to ask ourselves why we are travelling around so (/this) often. Modern technology allows many jobs to be done at home and goods to be ordered without visiting shops.

7 In conclusion, emphasise that, at all times, its crucial to get the ideas going first, and to organise them, before focusing on written accuracy.

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WORKSHEET 1

This is an extract from a letter you receive from the International View Institute:

Write your report in about 250 words.

We are trying to establish an international perspective on transport issues, and would be grateful to receive information from you in the form of a report.

Could you explain the transport situation in your area, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and make recommendations for future developments, including how these might be achieved.

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[A]

[B]

[C] Find the 10 missing words:

WORKSHEET 2

Type Advantages Disadvantages

~ Bus cheap crowded many stops hot some pollution

~

~

~

~

~

100 years ago

Now

In 50 years

I believe that should be a greater focus on the aspect sustainability. Air quality is vital part of city life, and it mustnt sacrificed just for sake of convenience. We need respond with energy and intelligence to the chal-lenges we face this regard. Meanwhile, it is just important to ask ourselves why we are travelling around often. Modern technology allows many jobs to be done at home and goods to be ordered visiting shops.

Documents

CAE Writing Pt2b